Might be the be-all and the end-all here,
But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,—

But, in these cases,

440

We'd jump the life to come.
We still have judgment here; that we but teach
Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return
To plague the inventor: this even-handed Justice
Commends the ingredients of our poison'd chalice
To our own lips. He's here in double trust :
First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,
Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,
Who should against his murderer shut the door, 450
Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongu'd, against
The deep damnation of his taking-off:
And pity, like a naked new-born babe,
Striding the blast, or heaven's cherubin, hors'd
Upon the sightless couriers of the air,

Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye,

That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur
To prick the sides of my intent, but only

Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself,

And falls on the other.-How now! what news?

Enter Lady.

461

Lady. He has almost supp'd; why have you left

the chamber?

Mac. Hath he ask'd for me?

Lady.

Lady. Know you not, he has?

Mac. We will proceed no further in this business: He hath honour'd me of late; and I have bought Golden opinions from all sorts of people, Which would be worn now in their newest gloss, Not cast aside so soon.

Lady. Was the hope drunk,

Wherein you drest yourself? hath it slept since ?
And wakes it now, to look so green and pale
At what it did so freely? from this time,
Such I account thy love. Art thou afraid
To be the same in thine own act and valour,
As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that
Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life,
And live a coward in thine own esteem;
Letting I dare not, wait upon I would,
Like the poor cat i' the adage?

Mac. Pr'ythee, peace :

I dare do all that may become a man;
Who dares do more, is none.

Lady. What beast was it then,

471

480

That made you break this enterprize to me?
When you durst do it, then you were a man ;
And, to be more than what you were, you would
Be so much more the man. Nor time, nor place, 490
Did then adhere, and yet you would make both :
They have made themselves, and that their fitness

now

Does unmake you. I have given suck; and know How tender 'tis, to love the babe that milks me :

I would,

I would, while it was smiling in my face,

Have pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums,
And dash'd the brains out,-had I but so sworn
As you have done, to this.

Mac. If we should fail,
Lady. We fail!

But screw your courage to the sticking-place,
And we'll not fail. When Duncan is asleep,
Whereto the rather shall his day's hard journey
Soundly invite him, his two chamberlains
Will I with wine and wassel so convince,
That memory, the warder of the brain,
Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason
A limbeck only; when in swinish sleep
Their drenched natures lie, as in a death,
What cannot you and I perform upon
The unguarded Duncan? what not put upon
His spungy officers; who shall bear the guilt
Of our great quell ?

Mac. Bring forth men-children only!
For thy undaunted mettle should compose
Nothing but males, Will it not be receiv'd,

500

510

When we have mark'd with blood those sleepy two Of his own chamber, and us'd their very daggers, That they have don't?

Lady. Who dares receive it other,

As we shall make our griefs and clamour roar
Upon his death?

Mae, I am settled, and bend up

Each corporal agent to this terrible feat.

520

Away,

Away, and mock the time with fairest show:
False face must hide what the false heart doth know.

[Exeunt.

A&t II. SCENE I.

Enter BANQUO, and FLEANCE, with a Torch before him.

Banquo.

How goes the night, boy.

Fle. The moon is down; I have not heard the clock, Ban. And she goes down at twelve.

Fle. I take't, 'tis later, sir.

Banolold, take my sword:-There's husbandry in heaven,

Their candles are all out.-Take thee that too.
A heavy summons lies like lead upon me,
And yet I would not sleep: Merciful powers!
Restrain in me the cursed thoughts, that nature
Gives way to in repose!—Give me my sword;—
Enter MACBETH, and a Servant with a Torch.

Who's there?

Mac. A friend.

9

Ban. What, sir, not yet at rest? the king's a-bed: He hath been in unusual pleasure, and

Sent forth great largess to your officers:
This diamond he greets your wife withal,

By the name of most kind hostess; and shut up

In measureless content.

Mac.

Mac. Being unprepar'd,

Our will became the servant to defect;
Which else should free have wrought.
Ban. All's well.

I dreamt last night of the three weïrd sisters:
To you they have shew'd some truth.

Mac. I think not of them:

Yet, when we can intreat an hour to serve,

20

We would spend it in some words upon that business, the time.

If would grant you

Ban. At your kind'st leisure.

Mac. If you shall cleave to my consent, when 'tis, It shall make honour for you.

Ban. So I lose none,

In seeking to augment it, but still keep

My bosom franchis'd, and allegiance clear,
I shall be counsel'd.

Mac. Good repose, the while!

31

Ban. Thanks, sir; the like to you! [Exit BANQUO. Mac. Go, bid thy mistress, when my drink is ready, She strike upon the bell. Get thee to bed. [Exit Ser. Is this a dagger, which I see before me,

The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee:

I have thee not; and yet I see thee still.

Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible
To feeling, as to sight? or art thou but
A dagger of the mind; a false creation,
Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?
I see thee yet, in form as palpable

As